An off-duty officer caught four teenagers Saturday, shortly after they spray-painted graffiti on a neighborhood sign in Waldorf.
Charles County Deputy J. Claggett, who was off-duty, observed fresh spray paint on a sign at 11:54 p.m. and then saw four young individuals walking nearby on Sassafrass Road. When he approached the group, three of them ran away. Claggett found that the remaining person had a bag filled with spray paint cans.
After further investigation Claggett found that the four juvenile suspects, ages 15 – 17, spray-painted generic words and symbols on two houses on Turtle Dove Place in Waldorf and three street signs and two mailboxes on Renner Road, also in Waldorf. Claggett identified the four juveniles, who were each charged with at least six counts of property destruction.
Officers are investigating whether the juveniles are connected to other similar spray-paint incidents in the area. The Smallwood Village neighborhoods in Waldorf have endured repeated graffiti incidents in recent years.
This activity report was provided by a Southern Maryland law enforcement agency as a public service to the community. It is not a complete account of events, and all suspects are considered innocent until proven guilty in court.